She’s a Great supporter

Published:11:00Tuesday 30 September 2014

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A CAMPAIGN to encourage more staff to become active has been backed by the one millionth finisher in the Great North Run.

Tracey Cramond, a contract support officer at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, completed the 13 mile run in three hours and two seconds in memory of her mum. She has raised just under £800 for Butterwick Hospice.

Tracey starting running just last year after her mum passed away. She said: “Not only am I very grateful to everyone who has donated funds for a fantastic local charity, but I also want to encourage others to get active – anyone can do it.”

Trust chief executive Alan Foster said: “We want to encourage staff to improve their general health and fitness and we’re asking them to pledge to take part in some physical exercise. It is about creating a fitter and healthier workforce.

“I would like to congratulate Tracey on becoming the one millionth finisher to complete the Great North Run and I would like to thank her for backing this campaign to encourage colleagues to lead an active and healthier lifestyle.

“We are totally committed to the health and wellbeing of our staff. Keeping fit doesn’t have to be about running a marathon; it can be something as simple as using the stairs instead of the lift, eating healthier food or stopping smoking.

“We know staff work incredibly hard, providing high quality care to patients. To do this staff need to look after themselves.

“Staff need to be as healthy as possible to do their job and their wellbeing has to be a priority. That’s why we’re supporting staff to lead a healthier lifestyle by making it easier to gain free access to health advice and support and get involved in initiatives at work.

“We want to invest in staff, keep them healthy and encourage them to pass on good advice to patients.”

Last year the trust was awarded the gold award for improving health and wellbeing in the workplace at the North East Better Health at Work Awards and more recently the trust picked up a continuing excellence award.

You can continue to make a donation to Tracey’s chosen charity, the Butterwick Hospice at https://www.justgiving.com/tracey-cramond3/